It was another lovely morning. As I set myself to jog in this nature-like park where we always go, I gazed at the horizon (I love doing this every time I am here). The sea shone like crystals where it met the clear sky with a few cotton-like clouds. It was indeed a magnificent view. I remember a particular passage in the Bible that says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands,” (Psalm 19:1).
Pondering on it, there is only one thing in my mind at that moment – The Lord is so faithful.
I thought about the things that had happened to me these past months. Should all of the instances that came my way were all good, it would have been easy to say that God is faithful. But things are so different. I get to be on the other side of the story. Does it mean to say that the Lord is not faithful to me? Did God allow me to suffer for no apparent reason? Did he afflict me with sickness to punish me? Definitely not. For me, the Lord is still good and faithful despite unpleasant things that get through my way.
I am always encouraged to read the book of Psalms. I feel the heart of the authors of those beautiful lines that were came alive due to unpleasant circumstances in life. Look at how David poured out his heart to the Lord because of his afflictions but never forgot to acknowledge His power, sovereignty, love, and mercy. He knew that in the end, God was with Him and He cared for him. I could imagine how tough David’s life because of his enemies, but his godly character stood out. That maybe the reason why he is the man after God’s own heart. He just not only knew God. He also experienced Him in his life amidst of so much difficulty that he had to struggle and face.
When I decided to go to Vietnam and settle here for a while, I had a lot of fears. Fears that I can’t seem to see what would happen to me. Will I still eat? Will I have the strength to continue? Will I feel better here without so much support from my family and friends? I almost backed out. I had a lot of what ifs. But the Lord reminded me that faith is not figuring out how things will be. Instead, it is trusting Him that no matter what happens, my life is in His hands. His faithfulness does not depend on me or my circumstances, but on His character.
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrew 11:1).
I admit, walking by faith is not a piece of cake. It is a constant decision in Him. There are times when frustrations, discouragements, and sufferings make me feel so weary and downcast. However, I know and believe that in the Lord, everything happens for a reason and purpose.
Three things that I always remember and do when things start to come out of my way:
1. Recall His faithfulness in our lives. There is this beautiful passage in Acts that reminds us how we ought to recall God’s faithfulness in our lives,
“And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them. . .” Acts 14:27
Remembering what God had done in our lives brings about the reality that He never left us, though we may feel that He has. Looking at yesterday, there is no instance that the Lord had forgotten me. For when I looked back, all I could see is His faithfulness, despite the many times that I doubted Him. Until now, I am still alive and well. It is His faithfulness that keeps me standing still.
2. Turn to the Scriptures for encouragement. I love all the things in the scripture, but when trouble comes, I would always want to read Psalms. As what others put it, the book of Psalms is the soul-therapy of ailing and broken hearts. And, I agree to it. It enables healing and uplifting of troubled and weary souls.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar, and he troubled, though the mountains share with the swelling thereof. Selah.” -Psalm 46:1-3
“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” -Psalm 55:22
“I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” -Psalm 16:8
There is so much more encouragements in His Word that we can hold onto during those trying times. We just need to let our eyes see the Lord and not to wallow in our situations.
3. Focus on His unfailing promises. My life verse is found in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” This verse was given to Israelites after they were carried away as captives. The Lord gave them instructions and all they needed to do was to obey and the Lord gave them a promise that He would visit and fulfill His promise to them.
In the same way, the Lord may allow us to be captivated by something – it maybe trials, afflictions, sufferings, sickness, and testing of faith. But we must remember that the Lord does things for our own good. His unfailing promises were all fulfilled in the lives of David, Job, Joseph, and even Paul. These men did not live a comfortable life on earth, but they became victorious because they had believed God’s promises that “he will never leave nor forsake them” (Hebrews 23:5).
At times like this, clinging onto God’s promises refreshes and renews my perspective in the Lord.
If you are in a situation where it seems that you could not find your faith, hang in there. This moment will mold and shape you to become stronger in your walk with God.
He allows us to go through something, so we would learn that GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME (no matter how hard our situation may seem). He is FAITHFUL to sustain us until this too, shall pass.
Leave a comment